At the A1 level, 'Anruf' is introduced as a fundamental vocabulary word necessary for basic survival communication. Beginners learn it primarily as a standalone noun to identify a phone call. The focus is on recognizing the word in simple, everyday contexts, such as receiving a call or waiting for one. Grammatically, learners are taught its gender (der Anruf) and its plural form (die Anrufe). The most critical sentence structure taught at this stage is 'Ich habe einen Anruf' (I have a call) or 'Ich warte auf einen Anruf' (I am waiting for a call). At this level, students are not expected to master complex verbs like 'tätigen' or 'entgegennehmen'; instead, they rely on basic verbs like 'haben' (to have) and 'bekommen' (to get). The cultural context is also introduced, explaining that in Germany, it is polite to answer the phone by stating your last name rather than just saying 'Hello'. Understanding 'Anruf' at A1 allows learners to navigate basic scenarios, such as understanding a receptionist at a hotel saying there is a call for them, or telling a friend that they need to take a phone call. It is a highly practical, high-frequency word that forms the foundation for all future telecommunications vocabulary. Teachers often use role-play exercises where students pretend to call each other, reinforcing the noun 'Anruf' alongside the verb 'anrufen'. The primary goal is immediate comprehension and basic production in present tense scenarios.
Moving into the A2 level, the usage of 'Anruf' expands significantly as learners begin to construct more complex sentences and use past tenses. Students learn to talk about calls that happened in the past using the Perfekt tense, such as 'Ich habe einen Anruf bekommen' (I got a call) or 'Er hat den Anruf verpasst' (He missed the call). The vocabulary surrounding 'Anruf' grows to include essential adjectives and prepositions. Learners are taught to specify who the call was from using 'von' + Dativ (ein Anruf von meiner Mutter) and to describe the nature of the call using adjectives like 'wichtig' (important) or 'kurz' (short). For example, 'Das war ein wichtiger Anruf' (That was an important call). Furthermore, A2 introduces the concept of compound nouns related to 'Anruf', most notably 'der Rückruf' (the callback) and 'der Notruf' (the emergency call). This helps students understand how German builds vocabulary logically. Practical applications at this level include leaving simple voicemail messages ('Bitte um Rückruf') and explaining why one couldn't answer the phone ('Ich konnte den Anruf nicht annehmen, weil ich gearbeitet habe'). The introduction of 'weil' (because) clauses allows learners to provide context for their phone-related actions. By the end of A2, students should feel comfortable managing basic phone interactions, discussing their call history, and understanding simple instructions regarding phone calls in both personal and basic professional settings.
At the B1 level, learners are expected to handle 'Anruf' with greater fluency and grammatical accuracy, integrating it into more sophisticated sentence structures. The focus shifts towards professional and formal contexts. Students learn the formal verb collocations that elevate their speech, such as 'einen Anruf tätigen' (to make a call) instead of the clunky 'einen Anruf machen', and 'einen Anruf entgegennehmen' (to receive/answer a call). This is crucial for learners preparing for the workplace in a German-speaking environment. B1 also emphasizes the distinction between 'Anruf' (the event of calling) and 'Telefonat' (the conversation itself), ensuring learners use the precise term for the situation. Complex sentence structures involving relative clauses become common: 'Der Anruf, auf den ich gewartet habe, kam endlich' (The call that I was waiting for finally came). Learners practice handling difficult phone situations, such as complaining about unwanted telemarketing calls ('Werbeanrufe') or dealing with bad connections. Listening comprehension exercises at this level often feature authentic or semi-authentic automated phone menus and customer service dialogues, requiring students to extract specific information from an 'Anruf'. Furthermore, B1 introduces the passive voice, allowing students to understand phrases like 'Der Anruf wurde weitergeleitet' (The call was forwarded). Mastery of 'Anruf' at B1 means the learner can independently manage almost any standard telephone situation, from booking appointments to resolving minor customer service issues, using appropriate register and polite phrasing.
In the B2 level, the usage of 'Anruf' becomes highly nuanced and deeply integrated into complex professional and social discourse. Learners are expected to express abstract thoughts and detailed circumstances surrounding phone calls. The vocabulary expands to include specialized terms like 'Konferenzanruf' (conference call), 'Anrufbeantworter' (answering machine), and 'Anrufumleitung' (call forwarding). Students learn to navigate delicate situations, such as politely declining a call, interrupting a meeting to take an urgent call, or summarizing the contents of a complex 'Anruf' to a colleague or superior using reported speech (Konjunktiv I). For example: 'Er sagte, der Anruf sei sehr aufschlussreich gewesen' (He said the call had been very informative). B2 learners also explore idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms related to calling, understanding the subtle differences in tone. They practice writing formal business emails referencing previous calls: 'Bezugnehmend auf unseren gestrigen Anruf...' (Referring to our call yesterday...). The focus is on fluency, accuracy, and appropriateness of register. In listening exercises, B2 students encounter fast-paced, native-level phone conversations with background noise, regional accents, or technical jargon. They must be able to infer meaning, tone, and intention from an 'Anruf' even when the audio is not perfectly clear. By the end of B2, the word 'Anruf' is a fully mastered tool, used effortlessly to manage complex logistical, professional, and interpersonal communications in a German-speaking environment.
At the C1 level, learners possess a near-native command of the word 'Anruf' and its extensive family of related terms. The focus is on stylistic flexibility, precision, and understanding implicit cultural or pragmatic nuances. C1 students can effortlessly switch between highly formal bureaucratic language ('Die Entgegennahme des Anrufs erfolgte um 14:00 Uhr') and relaxed, colloquial slang, knowing exactly when each is appropriate. They are adept at using 'Anruf' in complex, multi-clause sentences involving hypothetical scenarios (Konjunktiv II) and passive constructions. For instance: 'Wäre der Anruf rechtzeitig getätigt worden, hätte die Krise abgewendet werden können' (Had the call been made in time, the crisis could have been averted). Vocabulary at this level includes highly specific legal or technical terms, such as 'Kaltakquise-Anruf' (cold call) or 'Rückverfolgung eines Anrufs' (tracing a call). C1 learners can critically analyze texts or audio recordings involving phone calls, identifying manipulation, persuasion, or underlying subtext. They are comfortable participating in heated debates or complex negotiations over the phone, where the 'Anruf' itself is the medium for high-stakes communication. Furthermore, they understand historical and literary references to telecommunications in German media. Mastery at C1 means that 'Anruf' is no longer just a vocabulary word to be translated, but a concept that is manipulated with rhetorical skill to achieve specific communicative goals in any conceivable context, from a casual chat to a formal legal deposition.
At the C2 level, the highest level of proficiency, the learner's understanding and usage of 'Anruf' are indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. C2 learners grasp the deepest etymological roots of the word and appreciate its usage in classical literature, poetry, and advanced academic discourse. They can play with the word, creating spontaneous compound nouns or using it metaphorically. For example, understanding a 'Weckruf' not just as a literal wake-up call, but as a profound societal awakening or a stark warning in a political commentary. They are completely comfortable with archaic or highly specialized bureaucratic formulations involving 'Anruf' that might appear in legal contracts or historical documents. C2 students can write comprehensive academic papers or journalistic articles analyzing the impact of digital communication, using terms like 'Anruf' within a broader sociological or psychological framework. They possess absolute flawless command of all grammatical structures, prepositions, and idiomatic collocations associated with the word. In spoken German, they can deliver compelling presentations or speeches where they might reference a pivotal 'Anruf' to build narrative tension or illustrate a complex point. At this mastery level, the word 'Anruf' is fully integrated into the learner's cognitive linguistic network, allowing for effortless, precise, and culturally resonant expression across the entire spectrum of the German language, from the most mundane daily interaction to the highest echelons of intellectual debate.

Anruf 30초 만에

  • Translates to 'phone call'.
  • Masculine noun: der Anruf.
  • Verb form is 'anrufen'.
  • Use 'auf' to wait for it.
The German noun 'Anruf' translates directly to 'phone call' in English. It is a masculine noun, meaning it takes the definite article 'der' (der Anruf) and the indefinite article 'ein' (ein Anruf). To truly understand this word, we must look at its morphological roots and how it functions within the broader landscape of the German language. The word is derived from the separable verb 'anrufen', which means 'to call' or 'to phone'. Historically, before the invention of the telephone, 'anrufen' meant to physically call out to someone, to hail them, or to invoke them. With the advent of telecommunications, the meaning shifted to specifically denote a telephone call.
Etymology
Derived from the prefix 'an-' (at, to) and the verb 'rufen' (to call), literally meaning 'a calling to'.
Understanding this root helps learners remember that an 'Anruf' is an action directed at someone. When you receive an 'Anruf', someone is reaching out to you across a distance.

Ich warte auf einen wichtigen Anruf.

In everyday conversation, 'Anruf' is ubiquitous. Whether you are dealing with personal matters, business communications, or emergency situations, this noun is the standard term used to describe the event of a telephone connection being established or attempted. It is important to distinguish 'Anruf' from similar words like 'Telefonat'. While an 'Anruf' refers specifically to the act of calling or the incoming call itself, a 'Telefonat' refers to the actual conversation that takes place once the call is answered.
Usage Context
Use 'Anruf' when referring to the notification, the attempt, or the event of the phone ringing.
For example, if you miss a call, you have a 'verpasster Anruf'. You would not say you have a missed 'Telefonat', because the conversation never happened.

Er hat den Anruf leider verpasst.

Furthermore, 'Anruf' can be combined with various prefixes to create compound nouns that describe specific types of calls. A 'Rückruf' is a return call or a callback. A 'Notruf' is an emergency call. A 'Videoanruf' is a video call.
Compound Nouns
German frequently builds upon 'Anruf' to specify the nature of the communication, such as 'Werbeanruf' (telemarketing call).
This modularity is a hallmark of the German language and makes expanding your vocabulary much easier once you grasp the base word.

Danke für deinen Anruf gestern Abend.

When learning German at the A1 level, mastering the word 'Anruf' is crucial because telephone communication is a fundamental part of daily life. You will encounter it in textbooks, listening exercises, and real-world interactions almost immediately. The pronunciation is relatively straightforward for English speakers. The 'A' is pronounced like the 'a' in 'father', the 'n' and 'r' are standard, the 'u' is like the 'oo' in 'boot', and the 'f' is crisp. Stress falls on the first syllable: AN-ruf.

Wir haben heute viele Anrufe erhalten.

By integrating 'Anruf' into your active vocabulary, you unlock the ability to navigate social and professional situations that require remote communication. Whether you are leaving a voicemail, explaining why you were unreachable, or setting up a time to talk, 'Anruf' is the indispensable noun that anchors these expressions.

Ein kurzer Anruf genügt, um das Problem zu lösen.

In summary, 'Anruf' is more than just a translation of 'phone call'; it is a gateway to understanding German communication habits, verb-noun relationships, and the logical structure of German vocabulary building. Embrace this word, practice its collocations, and you will find yourself communicating much more naturally in German.
Using the noun 'Anruf' correctly in German involves understanding the specific verbs and prepositions that naturally collocate with it. Unlike English, where you 'make' a phone call, German uses different verbs depending on the register and exact meaning. In everyday, informal German, people often avoid the noun entirely and just use the verb 'anrufen' (to call). However, when the noun 'Anruf' is required, the most common verb used in a professional or formal context is 'tätigen'.
Formal Usage
'Einen Anruf tätigen' is the formal equivalent of 'to make a phone call', often used in business or official settings.
For example, a secretary might say they need to make several calls: 'Ich muss noch einige Anrufe tätigen.' In more casual settings, you might hear 'einen Anruf machen', though purists consider this a direct, somewhat clunky translation from English and prefer 'anrufen'.

Ich muss dringend einen Anruf tätigen.

When you are on the receiving end, the verbs change. You 'get' or 'receive' a call. In German, this is expressed with 'einen Anruf bekommen' (informal) or 'einen Anruf erhalten' (formal). If the phone rings and you pick it up, you 'nehmen den Anruf an' (accept/answer the call) or 'entgegennehmen' (receive/answer, highly formal).

Er hat meinen Anruf nicht angenommen.

Conversely, if you fail to answer, you have missed the call: 'einen Anruf verpassen'. The phrase 'ein verpasster Anruf' (a missed call) is something you will see constantly on your smartphone screen if your phone is set to German.
Smartphone Vocabulary
Your mobile phone will display 'Verpasster Anruf' when someone tried to reach you but you didn't answer.
Prepositions are another critical aspect of using 'Anruf' correctly. When you want to specify who the call is from, you use the preposition 'von' followed by the dative case. For example, 'ein Anruf von meiner Mutter' (a call from my mother).

Das war ein Anruf von der Bank.

If you are waiting for a call, you use the preposition 'auf' with the accusative case: 'Ich warte auf einen Anruf.' This is a very common phrase that A1 learners should memorize as a fixed chunk. Another useful construction involves expressing gratitude. 'Danke für deinen Anruf' (Thanks for your call) is the standard way to end a friendly conversation or acknowledge someone reaching out.
Expressing Gratitude
Always use 'für' + accusative when thanking someone for a call: 'Danke für den Anruf.'
In professional environments, you might need to forward a call. The verb for this is 'weiterleiten'. So, 'Ich leite den Anruf weiter' means 'I am forwarding the call.'

Bitte leiten Sie diesen Anruf an Herrn Müller weiter.

If you need to reject a call, perhaps because you are in a meeting, you use the verb 'abweisen'. 'Er hat den Anruf abgewiesen' means 'He rejected the call.' Understanding these verb pairings transforms 'Anruf' from a static vocabulary word into a dynamic tool for communication.

Ich freue mich auf deinen nächsten Anruf.

By mastering these collocations—tätigen, bekommen, annehmen, verpassen, weiterleiten, and abweisen—you will be fully equipped to handle any situation involving a telephone call in German, from the most casual chat with a friend to the most formal business negotiation.
The word 'Anruf' is omnipresent in German-speaking countries, echoing through various facets of daily life, professional environments, and media. As an A1 learner, you will first encounter this word in textbook dialogues simulating everyday situations. For instance, a classic introductory dialogue might feature a character saying, 'Ich habe einen Anruf für dich' (I have a call for you).
Everyday Life
You will hear 'Anruf' constantly among friends and family when discussing who called whom and when.
Beyond the classroom, the modern digital landscape is saturated with this term. If you change your smartphone's language settings to German—a highly recommended immersion technique—you will see 'Anruf' multiple times a day.

Dein Handy zeigt einen verpassten Anruf an.

Your call history will be labeled 'Anrufliste' (call list), incoming calls will be 'Eingehende Anrufe', and outgoing calls will be 'Ausgehende Anrufe'. In the workplace, 'Anruf' is a cornerstone of office communication. Receptionists, customer service representatives, and administrative staff use the word continuously. You might hear a colleague announce, 'Ein Anruf auf Leitung zwei' (A call on line two).
Office Environment
In business, tracking and responding to 'Anrufe' is a primary administrative task.
During meetings, someone might excuse themselves by saying, 'Entschuldigung, ich erwarte einen wichtigen Anruf' (Excuse me, I am expecting an important call).

Während der Besprechung kam ein dringender Anruf.

The word also features prominently in customer service contexts. Automated phone menus often begin with phrases like, 'Vielen Dank für Ihren Anruf' (Thank you for your call). If you call a hotline, you might be told, 'Dieser Anruf ist kostenpflichtig' (This call is subject to a charge) or 'Dieser Anruf wird zu Schulungszwecken aufgezeichnet' (This call is being recorded for training purposes).

Ihr Anruf ist uns wichtig, bitte bleiben Sie in der Leitung.

In media and entertainment, 'Anruf' is frequently used as a plot device. In crime dramas (Krimis), detectives often trace a 'mysteriöser Anruf' (mysterious call) or receive an 'anonymer Anruf' (anonymous call) that breaks the case wide open.
Media and Pop Culture
Thrillers and dramas frequently use the concept of an unexpected 'Anruf' to build tension.
Radio stations might host segments where listeners call in, often referred to as 'Anrufer' (callers), a noun directly derived from 'Anruf'.

Der nächste Anruf kommt aus Berlin.

Finally, in emergency situations, the specific compound 'Notruf' (emergency call) is critical. Knowing that 'Notruf' is related to 'Anruf' helps solidify the meaning. Whether you are navigating a German software interface, working in a DACH-region office, or simply watching a German movie, the word 'Anruf' will be an unavoidable and essential part of your linguistic journey.

Bei Feuer wählen Sie den Notruf 112.

Recognizing the contexts where 'Anruf' appears will help you anticipate its usage and respond appropriately, making your German sound much more natural and fluent.
When learning the word 'Anruf', English speakers frequently stumble over a few predictable hurdles. The most prominent mistake is confusing the noun 'der Anruf' (the phone call) with the verb 'anrufen' (to call). Because English uses the word 'call' for both the noun ('I got a call') and the verb ('I will call you'), learners often try to use 'Anruf' as a verb or 'anrufen' as a noun without proper capitalization or syntax.
Noun vs. Verb
Always remember: 'der Anruf' is the thing (noun), 'anrufen' is the action (verb).
For instance, a beginner might say, 'Ich werde dich einen Anruf' instead of the correct 'Ich werde dich anrufen' (I will call you).

Falsch: Ich mache einen anrufen. Richtig: Ich erwarte einen Anruf.

Another widespread error involves the direct translation of the English phrase 'to make a phone call'. Many learners instinctively say 'einen Anruf machen'. While a native speaker will understand this, and it is sometimes used in very casual slang, it sounds unnatural and slightly clumsy in standard German. Instead of 'Ich mache einen Anruf', it is much better to simply say 'Ich rufe an' (I am calling). If you absolutely must use the noun in a formal context, the correct collocation is 'einen Anruf tätigen'.

Der Manager muss noch einen Anruf tätigen.

Prepositions also cause significant headaches. In English, you wait 'for' a call. In German, you wait 'auf' (on) a call. Saying 'Ich warte für einen Anruf' is a classic anglicism and grammatically incorrect in German.
Preposition Pitfall
Never use 'für' when waiting for a call. The correct preposition is 'auf' + accusative.
The correct phrasing is always 'Ich warte auf einen Anruf'.

Sie wartet schon den ganzen Tag auf seinen Anruf.

Additionally, learners sometimes struggle with the gender of the noun. Because it ends in a consonant, its gender isn't immediately obvious to beginners, leading to mistakes like 'das Anruf' or 'die Anruf'. It is strictly masculine: 'der Anruf'. Consequently, in the accusative case (which is very common since you 'receive' or 'expect' a call), it becomes 'einen Anruf' or 'den Anruf'.

Ich habe den Anruf leider nicht gehört.

Finally, a subtle mistake is confusing 'Anruf' with 'Gespräch' or 'Telefonat'. If you want to say 'We had a long phone call', translating it as 'Wir hatten einen langen Anruf' sounds odd because 'Anruf' focuses on the *event* of the phone ringing and the connection being made, not the duration of the chatting.
Duration vs. Event
Use 'Telefonat' for the conversation itself, and 'Anruf' for the act of calling.
For the actual conversation, you should use 'Telefonat' or 'Gespräch': 'Wir hatten ein langes Telefonat.'

Nach dem Anruf führten sie ein langes Telefonat.

By being aware of these common pitfalls—avoiding 'machen', using the correct preposition 'auf', memorizing the masculine gender, and distinguishing the event from the conversation—you will use 'Anruf' with the precision of a native speaker.
In the realm of telecommunications vocabulary in German, 'Anruf' is surrounded by a constellation of similar words. Understanding the nuances between these terms is key to achieving fluency and precision in your speech. The most closely related word is 'das Telefonat'.
Anruf vs. Telefonat
'Anruf' is the connection event; 'Telefonat' is the actual conversation that follows.
While 'Anruf' translates to 'phone call' in the sense of the action of calling or the incoming signal, 'Telefonat' refers specifically to the telephone conversation itself. If you say, 'Das Telefonat hat eine Stunde gedauert' (The phone conversation lasted an hour), you cannot substitute 'Anruf' without sounding strange.

Ein kurzer Anruf führte zu einem langen Telefonat.

Another related term is 'das Gespräch' (the conversation). While not exclusively related to phones, it is frequently used in this context, often as 'das Telefongespräch'. You might hear an automated voice say, 'Das Gespräch wird gehalten' (The call/conversation is being held).

Ich kann den Anruf jetzt nicht annehmen, ich bin in einem Gespräch.

Then there is the root word 'der Ruf' (the call, the cry, or the reputation). While 'Anruf' is specific to telecommunications, 'Ruf' is broader. A 'Ruf' can be a bird's call, a cry for help, or one's reputation in society.
The Root Word
'Ruf' is the base noun. Adding 'an-' narrows it down to a directed call, usually via phone.
It is important not to use 'Ruf' when you mean 'Anruf'. If you say 'Ich erwarte einen Ruf', people might think you are waiting for a mystical calling or a shout from the woods, rather than a phone call.

Der Anruf kam völlig unerwartet.

We also have specific compound nouns that function similarly to 'Anruf' but carry more specific meanings. 'Der Rückruf' (the callback) is essential in business and customer service. If you leave a message, you ask for a 'Rückruf'. 'Der Notruf' is the emergency call (like 911 or 112). 'Der Weckruf' is a wake-up call, both literally in a hotel and metaphorically in life.
Compounds
Mastering compounds like Rückruf, Notruf, and Weckruf expands your vocabulary exponentially.
Finally, in the age of the internet, 'der Videoanruf' (the video call) has become just as common as the traditional 'Anruf'.

Lass uns später einen Video-Anruf machen.

By distinguishing 'Anruf' from 'Telefonat', 'Gespräch', and 'Ruf', and by learning its compound variations, you build a robust and precise vocabulary network that allows you to express exactly what kind of communication is taking place.

Jeder Anruf wird im System protokolliert.

This level of differentiation is what separates a beginner from an intermediate speaker who can navigate the subtleties of the German language with confidence.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Prepositions with Accusative (warten auf)

Noun Gender and Articles (der, den, dem, des)

Compound Nouns (Notruf, Rückruf)

Verbs with Noun Collocations (tätigen, entgegennehmen)

Separable Verbs (anrufen, weiterleiten)

수준별 예문

1

Ich habe einen Anruf.

I have a call.

Uses the accusative case 'einen' because 'Anruf' is masculine.

2

Der Anruf ist für dich.

The call is for you.

'für' always takes the accusative case ('dich').

3

Ich warte auf einen Anruf.

I am waiting for a call.

'warten auf' requires the accusative case.

4

Das ist ein wichtiger Anruf.

That is an important call.

Nominative case with the adjective ending '-er' for masculine.

5

Ein Anruf von Mama.

A call from Mom.

'von' takes the dative case, though no article is used here.

6

Danke für den Anruf.

Thanks for the call.

'für' takes the accusative case ('den Anruf').

7

Wo ist mein Anruf?

Where is my call?

Possessive pronoun 'mein' in the nominative case.

8

Ich höre den Anruf nicht.

I don't hear the call.

Accusative case 'den' as the direct object of 'hören'.

1

Ich habe gestern einen Anruf bekommen.

I got a call yesterday.

Perfekt tense using 'haben' and the past participle 'bekommen'.

2

Er hat den Anruf leider verpasst.

Unfortunately, he missed the call.

Perfekt tense with the verb 'verpassen'.

3

War der Anruf wirklich so wichtig?

Was the call really that important?

Präteritum (simple past) of 'sein' (war).

4

Ich rufe zurück, wenn ich den Anruf sehe.

I will call back when I see the call.

Subordinate clause starting with 'wenn', pushing the verb 'sehe' to the end.

5

Das war ein Anruf von meinem Chef.

That was a call from my boss.

'von' + Dativ ('meinem Chef').

6

Wir haben viele Anrufe erhalten.

We received many calls.

Plural form 'Anrufe' in the accusative case.

7

Bitte beantworten Sie diesen Anruf.

Please answer this call.

Formal imperative 'Beantworten Sie'.

8

Nach dem Anruf gehen wir essen.

After the call, we will go eat.

'Nach' + Dativ ('dem Anruf').

1

Ich muss dringend einen Anruf tätigen.

I urgently need to make a call.

Formal collocation 'einen Anruf tätigen'.

2

Der Anruf, auf den ich gewartet habe, kam nicht.

The call that I was waiting for did not come.

Relative clause with preposition 'auf den'.

3

Weil ich in einer Besprechung war, konnte ich den Anruf nicht annehmen.

Because I was in a meeting, I couldn't take the call.

Subordinate clause with 'weil' and modal verb 'konnte'.

4

Bitte leiten Sie alle Anrufe an meine Kollegin weiter.

Please forward all calls to my colleague.

Separable verb 'weiterleiten' in the imperative.

5

Es handelte sich um einen anonymen Anruf.

It was an anonymous call.

Reflexive verb phrase 'sich handeln um' + accusative.

6

Trotz des späten Anrufs war sie nicht wütend.

Despite the late call, she wasn't angry.

Preposition 'trotz' taking the genitive case ('des späten Anrufs').

7

Ich habe den Anruf auf dem Anrufbeantworter abgehört.

I listened to the call on the answering machine.

Vocabulary expansion with 'Anrufbeantworter' and verb 'abhören'.

8

Dieser Anruf kostet 20 Cent pro Minute.

This call costs 20 cents per minute.

Demonstrative pronoun 'Dieser' in the nominative case.

1

Bezugnehmend auf unseren gestrigen Anruf sende ich Ihnen die Dokumente.

Referring to our call yesterday, I am sending you the documents.

Formal business phrasing 'Bezugnehmend auf' + accusative.

2

Der Anruf wurde versehentlich unterbrochen.

The call was accidentally disconnected.

Passive voice in the Präteritum ('wurde unterbrochen').

3

Es ist unhöflich, während des Essens private Anrufe entgegenzunehmen.

It is impolite to take private calls during dinner.

Infinitive clause with 'zu' ('entgegenzunehmen').

4

Wir müssen die Anzahl der eingehenden Anrufe analysieren.

We need to analyze the number of incoming calls.

Genitive plural 'der eingehenden Anrufe'.

5

Er behauptete, der Anruf sei eine reine Erfindung gewesen.

He claimed the call had been a pure invention.

Reported speech using Konjunktiv I ('sei... gewesen').

6

Hätten Sie den Anruf nicht ignoriert, wüssten Sie jetzt Bescheid.

Had you not ignored the call, you would know now.

Irrealis condition using Konjunktiv II ('Hätten... ignoriert').

7

Der ständige Strom von Werbeanrufen ist äußerst lästig.

The constant stream of telemarketing calls is extremely annoying.

Compound noun 'Werbeanrufen' in the dative plural after 'von'.

8

Bitte stellen Sie sicher, dass keine Anrufe durchgestellt werden.

Please ensure that no calls are put through.

Passive voice in a 'dass' clause ('durchgestellt werden').

1

Die Rückverfolgung des Anrufs ergab, dass er aus dem Ausland stammte.

Tracing the call revealed that it originated from abroad.

Complex noun phrase with genitive ('Die Rückverfolgung des Anrufs').

2

Dieser Vorfall sollte als ein ernstzunehmender Weckruf verstanden werden.

This incident should be understood as a serious wake-up call.

Metaphorical use of the compound 'Weckruf' with passive infinitive.

3

Die Protokollierung sämtlicher Anrufe ist datenschutzrechtlich bedenklich.

The logging of all calls is questionable under data protection law.

Highly formal vocabulary ('Protokollierung', 'sämtlicher', 'datenschutzrechtlich').

4

Er tat den Anruf als bloßen Scherz ab, was sich als fataler Fehler erwies.

He dismissed the call as a mere joke, which proved to be a fatal mistake.

Separable verb 'abtun' in Präteritum with a relative clause ('was...').

5

In Anbetracht der Dringlichkeit des Anrufs verließ sie umgehend den Saal.

Given the urgency of the call, she left the hall immediately.

Preposition 'In Anbetracht' taking the genitive case.

6

Der Kaltakquise-Anruf bewegte sich hart an der Grenze zur Illegalität.

The cold call bordered closely on illegality.

Specific business terminology ('Kaltakquise-Anruf') with idiomatic phrasing.

7

Es obliegt dem Empfänger, die Authentizität des Anrufs zu verifizieren.

It is incumbent upon the recipient to verify the authenticity of the call.

Formal verb 'obliegen' + Dativ, with an infinitive clause.

8

Ein fingierter Anruf diente als Alibi für die Tatzeit.

A fake call served as an alibi for the time of the crime.

Advanced vocabulary ('fingiert', 'Alibi', 'Tatzeit').

1

Die literarische Inszenierung des rettenden Anrufs fungiert hier als Deus ex Machina.

The literary staging of the saving call functions here as a deus ex machina.

Academic literary analysis vocabulary.

2

Selbst unter der Prämisse eines fingierten Anrufs bleibt die Beweislage prekär.

Even under the premise of a fabricated call, the evidence remains precarious.

Highly formal academic/legal argumentation structure.

3

Der Anruf evozierte tief verdrängte Reminiszenzen an seine Kindheit.

The call evoked deeply repressed reminiscences of his childhood.

Sophisticated psychological vocabulary ('evozierte', 'Reminiszenzen').

4

Die telekommunikative Erreichbarkeit suggeriert eine ständige Verfügbarkeit für Anrufe, die geradezu tyrannische Züge annimmt.

Telecommunicative reachability suggests a constant availability for calls that takes on downright tyrannical traits.

Complex sociological critique with nested clauses.

5

Es bedurfte lediglich eines einzigen, wohlplatzierten Anrufs, um das gesamte Konstrukt zum Einsturz zu bringen.

It required merely a single, well-placed call to bring the entire construct crashing down.

Verb 'bedürfen' taking the genitive case ('eines einzigen... Anrufs').

6

In der Retrospektive erwies sich jener nächtliche Anruf als der Katalysator der gesamten Affäre.

In retrospect, that nocturnal call proved to be the catalyst of the entire affair.

Elevated narrative style ('In der Retrospektive', 'jener', 'Katalysator').

7

Die Jurisprudenz hat die Kriterien für die strafrechtliche Relevanz belästigender Anrufe unlängst präzisiert.

Jurisprudence has recently clarified the criteria for the criminal relevance of harassing calls.

Legal terminology ('Jurisprudenz', 'strafrechtliche Relevanz').

8

Er kokettierte mit der Vorstellung, den Anruf schlichtweg zu ignorieren, beugte sich dann aber doch dem gesellschaftlichen Diktat.

He flirted with the idea of simply ignoring the call, but then bowed to societal dictates after all.

Literary verbs ('kokettierte', 'beugte sich') and abstract nouns.

자주 쓰는 조합

einen Anruf tätigen
einen Anruf bekommen
einen Anruf erhalten
einen Anruf annehmen
einen Anruf verpassen
auf einen Anruf warten
ein wichtiger Anruf
ein anonymer Anruf
ein verpasster Anruf
Danke für den Anruf

자주 혼동되는 단어

Anruf vs anrufen (verb)

Anruf vs Telefonat (conversation)

Anruf vs Ruf (shout/reputation)

혼동하기 쉬운

Anruf vs

Anruf vs

Anruf vs

Anruf vs

Anruf vs

문장 패턴

사용법

note

While 'Anruf' is the correct noun, native speakers often prefer using the verb 'anrufen' in casual speech to sound more dynamic. E.g., instead of 'Ich erwarte einen Anruf von ihm', they might say 'Ich erwarte, dass er anruft'.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'Anruf' as a verb (e.g., Ich werde dich Anruf).
  • Saying 'einen Anruf machen' instead of 'anrufen' or 'einen Anruf tätigen'.
  • Using the preposition 'für' instead of 'auf' (Ich warte für einen Anruf).
  • Confusing 'Anruf' (the event) with 'Telefonat' (the conversation).
  • Forgetting the masculine gender and saying 'das Anruf' or 'die Anruf'.

Memorize the Preposition

Always pair 'warten' with 'auf' when talking about calls. 'Ich warte auf einen Anruf' is the only correct way to say 'I am waiting for a call'. Never use 'für'.

Avoid 'Machen'

Resist the urge to translate 'make a call' literally. Native speakers rarely say 'einen Anruf machen'. Use the verb 'anrufen' instead, or 'tätigen' if you are in a formal business setting.

Answering the Phone

When you receive an 'Anruf' in Germany, especially from an unknown number or in a business context, answer by stating your last name. Saying just 'Hallo' is considered slightly unprofessional.

Change Your Phone Language

Set your smartphone's language to German. You will see 'Anruf', 'verpasster Anruf', and 'Anrufliste' every day. This passive exposure is one of the best ways to memorize the vocabulary.

Listen to Automated Menus

Call a German customer service hotline just to listen to the automated menu. You will hear formal uses of 'Anruf', such as 'Vielen Dank für Ihren Anruf', which is excellent listening practice.

Use 'Rückruf' for Voicemails

If you leave a voicemail, don't ask for another 'Anruf'. Ask for a 'Rückruf' (callback). 'Bitte um Rückruf' is the standard, professional way to request someone to call you back.

Capitalization is Key

Because 'Anruf' is a noun, it must always be capitalized in written German. If you write 'anruf', it looks like a grammatical error and might be confused with the verb root.

Learn the Word Family

Once you know 'Anruf', learn 'Anrufer' (caller) and 'Anrufbeantworter' (answering machine). They all share the same root and gender patterns, making them easy to memorize together.

Stress the First Syllable

Make sure to put the emphasis on the 'AN' part of the word: AN-ruf. If you stress the second syllable, it sounds unnatural and might confuse the listener.

Telefonat vs. Anruf

Keep the distinction clear in your mind. The 'Anruf' is the ring; the 'Telefonat' is the chat. Use 'Telefonat' when describing the content or length of the conversation.

암기하기

기억법

An 'Anruf' is when someone is ON (an) the ROOF (ruf) shouting to call you.

어원

Germanic

문화적 맥락

Highly formal in business (einen Anruf tätigen), casual among friends (einen Anruf bekommen).

Always answer with your last name in formal or unknown contexts.

Universally understood across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"Hast du meinen Anruf heute Morgen gesehen?"

"Ich erwarte einen wichtigen Anruf, stört es dich, wenn ich mein Handy auf dem Tisch lasse?"

"Wer war das am Telefon? Ein wichtiger Anruf?"

"Soll ich später noch einen Anruf tätigen, um das zu klären?"

"Hast du den Anruf von der Bank endlich bekommen?"

일기 주제

Beschreibe den wichtigsten Anruf, den du je erhalten hast.

Warum telefonieren manche Menschen lieber, als Textnachrichten zu schreiben?

Wie reagierst du auf unerwartete Anrufe von unbekannten Nummern?

Schreibe einen Dialog, in dem jemand einen wichtigen Anruf verpasst.

Was sagst du normalerweise auf einem Anrufbeantworter?

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

'Anruf' is the noun meaning 'phone call', and it is always capitalized. 'anrufen' is the verb meaning 'to call'. You use 'Anruf' when referring to the thing itself (I have a call), and 'anrufen' for the action (I will call you). Mixing them up is a common beginner mistake. Always check if you need a noun or a verb in your sentence.

While grammatically understandable, it sounds unnatural to native German speakers. It is a direct translation from the English 'make a phone call'. Instead, you should simply use the verb: 'Ich rufe an'. If you must use the noun in a formal context, use the verb 'tätigen': 'Ich tätige einen Anruf'.

You must use the preposition 'auf' followed by the accusative case. The correct phrase is 'Ich warte auf einen Anruf'. Do not use 'für' (for), as 'Ich warte für einen Anruf' is incorrect in German. Memorize 'warten auf' as a fixed combination.

The word 'Anruf' is masculine, so it takes the article 'der' (der Anruf). In the accusative case, which is very common (e.g., I have a call), it becomes 'einen Anruf' or 'den Anruf'. In the dative case, it is 'dem Anruf'.

The plural form is 'die Anrufe'. You simply add an 'e' to the end of the word. For example, 'Ich habe heute viele Anrufe bekommen' (I received many calls today). The stress remains on the first syllable: AN-ru-fe.

A missed call is 'ein verpasster Anruf'. This is exactly what you will see on your smartphone screen if your language is set to German. The verb is 'verpassen' (to miss). For example, 'Ich habe deinen Anruf verpasst'.

'Anruf' refers to the event of the phone ringing or the connection being established. 'Telefonat' refers to the actual conversation that takes place. If you talk for an hour, you had a long 'Telefonat', not a long 'Anruf'.

The most common and natural way to say this is 'Danke für den Anruf' (informal/formal) or 'Danke für deinen/Ihren Anruf'. Always use the preposition 'für' followed by the accusative case. This is a great phrase to end a conversation politely.

German loves compound words. Common ones include 'der Rückruf' (callback), 'der Notruf' (emergency call), 'der Videoanruf' (video call), and 'der Werbeanruf' (telemarketing call). Learning these expands your vocabulary quickly because they all follow the same grammatical rules as 'Anruf'.

In casual German, you can say 'ans Telefon gehen' (to go to the phone). If you want to use the word 'Anruf', you use the verb 'annehmen': 'Ich nehme den Anruf an'. In very formal or business contexts, you use 'entgegennehmen': 'Einen Anruf entgegennehmen'.

셀프 테스트 200 질문

writing

Write a sentence saying you are waiting for a call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence saying you missed a call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a formal sentence saying you need to make a call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence thanking someone for their call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: The call is for you.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: I got a call from my boss.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: That was an important call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'Rückruf'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: Emergency call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: The call was very short.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'weiterleiten'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: I cannot take the call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: A missed call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: We received many calls.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Write a sentence using 'Anrufbeantworter'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: Video call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: The caller hung up.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: Anonymous call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: During the call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
writing

Translate: I have a call.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: der Anruf

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Ich habe einen Anruf.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Ich warte auf einen Anruf.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: ein verpasster Anruf

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Danke für den Anruf.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Ich muss einen Anruf tätigen.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: der Rückruf

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: der Notruf

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: die Anrufe

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: ein wichtiger Anruf

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Bitte leiten Sie den Anruf weiter.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: der Anrufbeantworter

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: der Videoanruf

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Ich nehme den Anruf an.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Werbeanruf

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Anrufliste

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Der Anruf kommt aus dem Ausland.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: anonymer Anruf

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Während des Anrufs

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking

Pronounce: Ich habe den Anruf verpasst.

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Ich habe einen Anruf.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Ich warte auf einen Anruf.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Danke für den Anruf.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: ein verpasster Anruf

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: der Notruf

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Ich muss einen Anruf tätigen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Bitte um Rückruf.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: der Anrufbeantworter

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Ein wichtiger Anruf.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: die Anrufe

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Der Anruf ist für dich.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Ich nehme den Anruf an.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Videoanruf

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Anrufliste

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
listening

Listen and type: Werbeanruf

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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